Technologies for conducting a data transaction between enterprises using a permissioned blockchain infrastructure and an oracle system

ABSTRACT

A method for conducting a data transaction between an on-chain enterprise and an off-chain enterprise according to one embodiment includes receiving at the on-chain enterprise a request for data from an end user; determining that the off-chain enterprise possesses the requested data; transmitting the request for data to an oracle system; transmitting the request for data to the off-chain enterprise; providing the requested data to the oracle system; providing the requested data to the on-chain enterprise by (i) generating a block representing the data transaction in the blockchain infrastructure, (ii) publishing the block to one or more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (iii) validating the data transaction at the one or more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (iv) adding the block to a blockchain based on a consensus reached among the one or more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (v) updating the one or more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure with the block, and (vi) labeling the data transaction as successful; and transmitting the requested data to the end user.

BACKGROUND

When an end user requests data from an enterprise, the enterprise mayrely on its own collected data stored in a centralized data repositoryto respond to such a request. Additionally, when an end user requestsdata from an enterprise that does not possess such data, the enterprisemay desire to help the end user by obtaining the data from anotherenterprise. The ability of enterprises to share data may be veryconvenient for an end user since an end user would enjoy seamlessservice between enterprises for any need. For example, if an end userneeds to update or change a physical address with several enterprises,such an action may require much more effort to individually contact eachenterprise to update or change the physical address. It would be veryconvenient for the end user if the end user could update such detailswith one enterprise such that the update would occur at otherenterprises. There is a strong need to address these technical systemchallenges.

When an enterprise needs to obtain data stored by another enterprise,the enterprises may often utilize a trusted third party intermediary tofacilitate communications. There are various disadvantages with using atrusted third party intermediary, however, including the extra costsrequired to use a trusted third party intermediary, that the enterprisesmust trust the third party intermediary to not abuse its power and tofaithfully provide its services, that there is a risk that another thirdparty may gain control over the trusted third party intermediary therebyenabling the other third party to compromise the trusted third partyintermediary's services, and that customers do not receive a singleexperience across multiple enterprises. Additionally, when the end userneeds to use the same data that is generated by one enterprise atanother enterprise, storage in a centralized data repository does notallow data sharing. For example, if an end user provides travel, food,and lodging information to a first enterprise, the end user would haveno way to use the same information with a second enterprise. Such aproblem generates a substantial amount of repetitive actions for the enduser for each duplicative data request across multiple enterprises.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a method for conducting a data transactionbetween an on-chain enterprise internal to a blockchain network and anoff-chain enterprise external to the blockchain network using apermissioned blockchain infrastructure and an oracle system may includereceiving at the on-chain enterprise a request for data from an enduser; determining that the off-chain enterprise possesses the requesteddata; transmitting, by the on-chain enterprise, the request for data tothe oracle system; transmitting, by the oracle system, the request fordata to the off-chain enterprise; providing, by the off-chainenterprise, the requested data to the oracle system; providing therequested data to the on-chain enterprise by (i) generating a blockrepresenting the data transaction in the blockchain infrastructure, (ii)publishing the block to one or more nodes in the blockchaininfrastructure, (iii) validating the data transaction at the one or morenodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (iv) adding the block to ablockchain based on a consensus reached among the one or more nodes inthe blockchain infrastructure, (v) updating the one or more nodes in theblockchain infrastructure with the block, and (vi) labeling the datatransaction as successful; and transmitting the requested data to theend user.

In some embodiments, providing the requested data to the on-chainenterprise may include using the oracle system as a bridge between theon-chain enterprise and the off-chain enterprise.

In some embodiments, the oracle system may include an automated oracle.

In some embodiments, the oracle system may include at least one of asingle sourced oracle and a multiple sourced oracle.

In some embodiments, the method may further include a technicalframework to reduce the risk of the oracle system tampering with therequested data.

In some embodiments, the technical framework may include at least one ofa digital notary, a secure hardware bridge, and an additional oraclesystem.

In some embodiments, the block includes self-executingcomputer-executable code configured to monitor one or more conditionsassociated with the blockchain.

In some embodiments, one or more non-transitory machine-readable storagemedia may include a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, inresponse to execution by at least one processor, causes the at least oneprocessor to execute a method of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, a method for automatically completing datatransactions using a permissioned blockchain infrastructure may includereceiving at a first enterprise a request for first data from an enduser; providing, by the first enterprise, the requested first data tothe end user thereby completing a first data transaction; storing thefirst data transaction on a blockchain by (i) generating a blockrepresenting the first data transaction in the blockchaininfrastructure, (ii) publishing the block to one or more nodes in theblockchain infrastructure, (iii) validating the first data transactionat the one or more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (iv) addingthe block to the blockchain based on a consensus reached among the oneor more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (v) updating the one ormore nodes in the blockchain infrastructure with the block, and (vi)labeling the first data transaction as successful; determining that anevent associated with the first data transaction occurred at a secondenterprise by using a mining server to retrieve the first datatransaction in response to identifying the event; and completing, by thesecond enterprise, a second data transaction.

In some embodiments, the method may further include storing the seconddata transaction on the blockchain by (i) generating a second blockrepresenting the second data transaction in the blockchaininfrastructure, (ii) publishing the second block to the one or morenodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (iii) validating the second datatransaction at the one or more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure,(iv) adding the second block to the blockchain based on a secondconsensus reached among the one or more nodes in the blockchaininfrastructure, (v) updating the one or more nodes in the blockchaininfrastructure with the second block, and (vi) labeling the second datatransaction as successful.

In some embodiments, the second enterprise communicates with a personalbot system to complete the second data transaction.

In some embodiments, the second enterprise communicates with an oraclesystem to complete the second data transaction.

In some embodiments, the block includes self-executingcomputer-executable code configured to monitor one or more conditionsassociated with the blockchain.

In some embodiments, a system for conducting a data transaction betweenan on-chain enterprise internal to a blockchain network and an off-chainenterprise external to the blockchain network using a permissionedblockchain infrastructure and an oracle system may include at least oneprocessor; and at least one memory comprising a plurality ofinstructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the atleast one processor, causes the system to receive at the on-chainenterprise a request for data from an end user; determine that theoff-chain enterprise possesses the requested data; transmit, by theon-chain enterprise, the request for data to the oracle system;transmit, by the oracle system, the request for data to the off-chainenterprise; provide, by the off-chain enterprise, the requested data tothe oracle system; provide the requested data to the on-chain enterpriseby (i) generating a block representing the data transaction in theblockchain infrastructure, (ii) publishing the block to one or morenodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (iii) validating the datatransaction at the one or more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure,(iv) adding the block to a blockchain based on a consensus reached amongthe one or more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (v) updating theone or more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure with the block, and(vi) labeling the data transaction as successful; and transmit therequested data to the end user.

In some embodiments, providing the requested data to the on-chainenterprise may include using the oracle system as a bridge between theon-chain enterprise and the off-chain enterprise.

In some embodiments, the oracle system may include an automated oracle.

In some embodiments, the oracle system may include at least one of asingle sourced oracle and a multiple sourced oracle.

In some embodiments, the method may further include a technicalframework to reduce the risk of the oracle system tampering with therequested data.

In some embodiments, the technical framework may include at least one ofa digital notary, a secure hardware bridge, and an additional oraclesystem.

In some embodiments, the block includes self-executingcomputer-executable code configured to monitor one or more conditionsassociated with the blockchain.

This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid inlimiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further embodiments,forms, features, and aspects of the present application shall becomeapparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The concepts described herein are illustrative by way of example and notby way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity andclarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale. Where considered appropriate, referenceslabels have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding oranalogous elements.

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of asystem for conducting a data transaction between enterprises using apermissioned blockchain infrastructure;

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of atleast one contact center system of the system of FIG. 1 for conducting adata transaction between enterprises using a permissioned blockchaininfrastructure;

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of acomputing system;

FIG. 4 is a simplified flow diagram of at least one embodiment of amethod for conducting a data transaction between enterprises using apermissioned blockchain infrastructure using the system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a simplified flow diagram of at least one embodiment of amethod for conducting a data transaction between enterprises using apermissioned blockchain infrastructure using the system of FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 6-7 are simplified block diagrams of at least one embodiment of ablockchain architecture;

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of asmart contract architecture;

FIG. 9 is a simplified flow diagram of at least one embodiment of amethod for conducting a data transaction between enterprises using asmart contract;

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of ablockchain architecture that implements smart contracts;

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of anarchitecture for automatically completing data transactions using apermissioned blockchain infrastructure; and

FIG. 12 is a simplified flow diagram of at least one embodiment of amethod for automatically completing data transactions using apermissioned blockchain infrastructure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible tovarious modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments havebeen shown by way of example in the drawings and will be describedherein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is nointent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the presentdisclosure and the appended claims.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily includethat particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, suchphrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. It shouldbe further appreciated that although reference to a “preferred”component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particularcomponent or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure isnot so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such acomponent or feature. Further, when a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it issubmitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art toimplement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection withother embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Additionally, itshould be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “atleast one of A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C);(A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “atleast one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C);(A and C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, theuse of words and phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” and/or “atleast one portion” should not be interpreted so as to be limiting toonly one such element unless specifically stated to the contrary, andthe use of phrases such as “at least a portion” and/or “a portion”should be interpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only aportion of such element and embodiments including the entirety of suchelement unless specifically stated to the contrary.

The disclosed embodiments may, in some cases, be implemented inhardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. The disclosedembodiments may also be implemented as instructions carried by or storedon one or more transitory or non-transitory machine-readable (e.g.,computer-readable) storage media, which may be read and executed by oneor more processors. A machine-readable storage medium may be embodied asany storage device, mechanism, or other physical structure for storingor transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., avolatile or non-volatile memory, a media disc, or other media device).

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown inspecific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should beappreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not berequired. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged ina different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figuresunless indicated to the contrary. Additionally, the inclusion of astructural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant toimply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in someembodiments, may not be included or may be combined with other features.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , in the illustrative embodiment, a system 100for conducting a data transaction between enterprises using apermissioned blockchain infrastructure includes an end user device 102,a network 104, an enterprise 106, an enterprise 108, an enterprise 110,an enterprise 122, an enterprise 124, an enterprise 126, and an oraclesystem 134. Additionally, in the illustrative embodiment, each of theenterprises 106, 108, 110 is included in or otherwise associated with anenterprise system 112. In some embodiments, each of the enterprises 106,108, 110 is included in or otherwise associated with an enterprisesystem 112 such that each of the enterprises 106, 108, 110 may be an“on-chain” enterprise. An on-chain enterprise may be an enterprise thatis within the blockchain network described in the present disclosure. Insome embodiments, each of enterprises 122, 124, 126 may be “off-chain”enterprises. An off-chain enterprise may be an enterprise that is notwithin the blockchain network described in the present disclosure.Further, in the illustrative embodiment, the enterprise 106 includes acontact center system 114, the enterprise 108 includes a contact centersystem 116, the enterprise 110 includes a contact center system 118, theenterprise 122 includes a contact center system 128, the enterprise 124includes a contact center system 130, and the enterprise 126 includes acontact center system 132. It should be appreciated that references tothe enterprise 106 or the enterprise 122 herein may be made for clarityof the description and may be intended to be for illustrative purposesonly. Accordingly, in some embodiments, such references to theenterprise 106 may be alternatively made with respect to the enterprise108 or the enterprise 110 without loss of generality. Similarly, in someembodiments, such references to the enterprise 122 may be alternativelymade with respect to the enterprise 124 or the enterprise 126 withoutloss of generality.

Although only one end user device 102, one network 104, one enterprisesystem 112, and one oracle system 134 are shown in the illustrativeembodiment of FIG. 1 , the system 100 may include multiple end userdevices 102, networks 104, enterprise systems 112, and/or oracle systems134 in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, multiple enduser devices 102 may be used to access a web-based graphical userinterface that permits end users to request data from enterprises 106,108, 110, 122, 124, 126. Similarly, in some embodiments, the system 100may include multiple other enterprises 106, 108, 110, 122, 124, 126 andmultiple other contact center systems 114, 116, 118, 128, 130, 132.Additionally, it should be appreciated that the enterprise system 112includes three enterprises 106, 108, 110 by way of example only, and insome embodiments, the enterprise system 112 may include a differentnumber of enterprises. Further, in some embodiments, the contact centersystems 114, 116, 118, 126, 128, 130 may be excluded from one or more ofthe corresponding enterprises 106, 108, 110, 122, 124, 128. For example,in some embodiments, one or more of the enterprises 106, 108, 110, 122,124, 128 may not be associated with a contact center and, therefore, notinclude a contact center system.

The system 100 and technologies described herein may permit user datatransfer among different enterprises (e.g., the enterprises 106, 108,110) within an enterprise system (e.g., the enterprise system 112),which may reduce the risks and problems associated with centralizedstorage systems. The enterprise system 112 includes the enterprises 106,108, 110 that may be vetted prior to being included in the enterprisesystem 112, which may allow the enterprises 106, 108, 110 within theenterprise system 112 to receive inter-operability benefits. Thepermissioned blockchain infrastructure and blockchain networktechnologies described herein may eliminate the need for third partyintermediaries to operate in between enterprises when an enterpriseneeds to obtain data stored by another enterprise, which also eliminatesthe risks associated with a third party intermediary (e.g., abuse ofpower, another third party gaining control over the third partyintermediary, etc.). Because various consensus protocols are needed tovalidate a data transaction, the permissioned blockchain infrastructureand blockchain network may remove the risk of duplicate entry and/orfraud. Each data transaction occurring in the permissioned blockchaininfrastructure and blockchain network may be transparent such that theenterprises 106, 108, 110 within the enterprise system 112 may view eachdata transaction. Therefore, the permissioned blockchain infrastructureand blockchain network technologies described herein may provide astructured, authenticated, confidential, and secured platform to usedata concerning a particular end user that other enterprises possess.

Additionally, the blockchain associated with the technologies of thepresent disclosure may be a valuable dataset to know more about endusers as well as provide personalized end user service to the end users(e.g., for contact center operations). With more data being shared aboutend users, the insights drawn from such data may benefit both theuser/customer and the enterprise receiving the request from the enduser. Further, the enterprises and the technological platform may usethis data to obtain more valuable insights that may improve productivityof such enterprises. Therefore, personalization, predictive andprescriptive analysis, and automation may be unified across enterprisesin an enterprise system using the permissioned blockchain infrastructureand blockchain network technologies described herein.

It should be appreciated that each of the end user device 102, network104, enterprises 106, 108, 110, 122, 124, 126, enterprise system 112,contact center systems 114, 116, 118, 128, 130, 132, and oracle system134 may be embodied as any type of device/system or collection ofdevices/systems suitable for performing the functions described herein.More specifically, in the illustrative embodiment, the end user device102 may be a voice communications device, such as a telephone, acellular phone, or a satellite phone. The end user device 102alternatively may be, for example, an electronic tablet, an electronicbook reader, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable musicplayer, or a computer capable of communication with the enterprise 106.The end user device 102 may have various input/output devices with whicha user may interact to provide and receive audio, text, video, and/orother forms of data. The end user device 102 may allow an end user tointeract with the enterprise 106 (and/or other devices of the system100) over the network 104 as described herein.

In some embodiments, the end user device 102 may be embodied as any typeof device capable of executing an application and otherwise performingthe functions described herein. For example, in the illustrativeembodiment, the end user device 102 may be configured to execute anapplication 120. It should be appreciated that the application 120 maybe embodied as any type of application suitable for performing thefunctions described herein. In particular, in some embodiments, theapplication 120 may be embodied as a mobile application (e.g., asmartphone application), a cloud-based application, a web application, athin-client application, and/or another type of application. Forexample, in some embodiments, the application 120 may serve as aclient-side interface (e.g., via a web browser) for a web-basedapplication or service. Additionally, although only one application 120is shown as being executed by the end user device 102, it should beappreciated that end user device 102 may be configured to execute otherapplications in order to perform the functions described herein.

In some embodiments, the application 120 may be an automated agent(i.e., a personal bot system) configured to automate interactions withenterprises (e.g., the enterprise 106) and/or other devices/services toachieve particular goals or results as requested by end users (e.g., arequest for data) via the end user device 102. The personal bot systemmay be physically located in, and performed by, the end user device 102whereas other aspects of the end user-side system may be physicallylocated in, and executed by, a cloud computing service (e.g., the cloudcomputing service 230 of FIG. 2 ). As one example, an end user may havean issue with her cable internet service and communicate this issue toher personal bot system by speaking or typing a natural language phrasesuch as: “My internet connection is down. Please contact the cablecompany for service.” A natural language refers to a language used byhumans to communicate with one another (e.g., English, Spanish, French,Chinese, etc.), which is in contrast to artificial or constructedlanguages such as computer programming languages (e.g., C, Python,JavaScript, assembly language, etc.). The personal bot system interactswith the appropriate enterprise (e.g., the enterprise 106, which in thiscase, is the cable internet provider) on behalf of the end user toaccomplish the end user's request (i.e., to fix the problem). During theinteraction, the personal bot system may prompt the end user foradditional information requested by the enterprise (e.g., a selectionfrom a set of proposed appointment times for a technician to visit) ifthe personal bot system does not have access to the information, or thepersonal bot system may automatically respond to the question based onaccess to user information (e.g., appointment times may be selectedthrough a detection of available times in the end user's calendar andpreferred times specified by the end user, either as part of therequest, or as part of a standing general preference).

As another example involving booking flights, when requestinginformation about the status of current flight reservations, anenterprise (e.g., the enterprise 106) may respond directly to thepersonal bot system with a list of all flights booked by the end userand associated details. However, in some embodiments, the enterprise(e.g., the enterprise 106) may request additional information based onthe information in the initial request. For example, when booking aflight, the airline may respond with a list of flights available fromLAX to SFO on May 19 and a list of flights available from SFO to LAX onMay 24, along with flight information such as departure times, arrivaltimes, and prices. The personal bot system may then respond to thisrequest for more information with the selection of a particular pair offlights. Similarly, after selecting flights, the enterprise (e.g., theenterprise 106) may request the choice from among a list of availableseats. Accordingly, some embodiments of the present disclosure relate toautomating back-and-forth interactions between an enterprise (e.g., theenterprise 106) and a personal bot system. In some embodiments,automatic back-and-forth interactions between a personal bot system andan enterprise (e.g., the enterprise 106) allows the personal bot systemto negotiate transactions with the enterprise on behalf of the end userwith reduced or no involvement from the end user. In some embodiments,the personal bot system may interact with an enterprise (e.g., theenterprise 106) through various interfaces provided by the enterprise,such as APIs published by the enterprise (e.g., provided by web servers222 of the contact center system 200 of FIG. 2 ) and chat botsassociated with the enterprise.

The network 104 may be embodied as any one or more types ofcommunication networks that are capable of facilitating communicationbetween the various devices communicatively connected via the network104. As such, the network 104 may include one or more networks, routers,switches, access points, hubs, computers, and/or other interveningnetwork devices. For example, the network 104 may be embodied as orotherwise include one or more cellular networks, telephone networks,local or wide area networks, publicly available global networks (e.g.,the Internet), ad hoc networks, short-range communication links, or acombination thereof. In some embodiments, the network 104 may include acircuit-switched voice or data network, a packet-switched voice or datanetwork, and/or any other network able to carry voice and/or data. Inparticular, in some embodiments, the network 104 may include InternetProtocol (IP)-based and/or asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)-basednetworks. In some embodiments, the network 104 may handle voice traffic(e.g., via a Voice over IP (VOIP) network), web traffic (e.g., such ashypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) traffic and hypertext markup language(HTML) traffic), and/or other network traffic depending on theparticular embodiment and/or devices of the system 100 in communicationwith one another. In various embodiments, the network 104 may includeanalog or digital wired and wireless networks (e.g., IEEE 802.11networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Integrated ServicesDigital Network (ISDN), and Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL)), ThirdGeneration (3G) mobile telecommunications networks, Fourth Generation(4G) mobile telecommunications networks, Fifth Generation (5G) mobiletelecommunications networks, a wired Ethernet network, a private network(e.g., such as an intranet), radio, television, cable, satellite, and/orany other delivery or tunneling mechanism for carrying data, or anyappropriate combination of such networks. The network 104 may enableconnections between the various devices/systems 102, 106, 108 of thesystem 100. It should be appreciated that the various devices/systems102, 106, 108 may communicate with one another via different networks104 depending on the source and/or destination devices 102, 106, 108.

The enterprises 106, 108, 110, 122, 124, 126 may be embodied as any oneor more types of devices/systems that are capable of interacting with anend user and otherwise performing the functions described herein. Itshould be appreciated that the enterprises 106, 108, 110, 122, 124, 126may be associated with organizations (e.g., companies) in someembodiments. The enterprises 106, 108, 110 may possess certain data andprovide such data to an end user in response to a request from the enduser. For example, an end user may desire to purchase airline ticketsfrom an airline enterprise. End users may purchase plane tickets bycalling an airline enterprise (e.g., the enterprise 106) to speak with asales agent (e.g., a sales agent associated with the contact centersystem 114) and providing payment information over the telephone. Endusers may alternatively use the airline's website to search for flightsand enter payment through a form in the web browser. In the illustrativeembodiment, end users may interact with the contact center system 114 ofenterprise 106 over the network 104 via the end user device 102.

The enterprise system 112 may be embodied as any one or more types ofdevices/systems that are capable of functioning as a unit andinteracting via a technological platform to exchange data and otherresources and otherwise performing the functions described herein. Forexample, in the illustrative embodiment, the enterprise system 112 mayinclude the enterprises 106, 108, 110 and such enterprises may sharedata and other resources with each other. The enterprise system 112 mayinclude other enterprises that are not shown in FIG. 1 or fewerenterprises than those shown in FIG. 1 depending on the particularembodiment. The enterprise 106 may exchange data over the network 104with one or more of the enterprises 108, 110 in the enterprise system112. It should be appreciated that the enterprise system 112 may be aprivate system, for example, in which any enterprises not included inthe enterprise system 112 cannot access the technological platformwithout either being added to the enterprise system 112 or being givenpermission to access the technological platform via the enterprisesystem 112.

It should be further appreciated that the enterprises included in theenterprise system 112 may or may not be associated with related legalentities (e.g., subsidiary companies, daughter companies, othercompanies that are owned or controlled by another company such as aparent company, etc.) depending on the particular embodiment. Further,although the enterprises of the enterprise system 112 are describedherein as being associated with one another (e.g., as nodes in a privatesystem associated with a permissioned blockchain infrastructure), inother embodiments, it should be appreciated that the enterprises may beassociated with one another only insofar as they are configured tocommunicate with the end user device 102 and/or other devices of thesystem 100 and otherwise perform the functions described herein.

The oracle system 134 may be embodied as any one or more types ofdevices/systems that are capable of connecting the blockchain networkdescribed in the present disclosure to data sources and/or resourcesthat are “external” to the blockchain network of the present disclosureand/or otherwise performing the functions described herein. For example,in some embodiments, the oracle system 134 may connect the blockchainnetwork (e.g., one or more of the enterprises 106, 108, 110 of theenterprise system 112) with an off-chain enterprise (e.g., one or moreof the enterprises 122, 124, 126). The oracle system 134 may function asa bridge between the blockchain network and the off-chain enterprises.For example, the oracle system 134 may permit the blockchain network toreceive data and/or requests from off-chain enterprises. Similarly, theoracle system 134 may permit the off-chain enterprises to receive dataand/or requests from the blockchain network. APIs may be used totransmit data and/or requests to the blockchain network.

The oracle system 134 may be embodied as or include one or moreautomated oracles and/or one or more human oracles. In some embodiments,the one or more automated oracles may receive a data request from theblockchain network (e.g., via the enterprise 106). In response toreceiving the data request, the one or more automated oracles mayautomatically access a data source of an off-chain enterprise (e.g., theenterprise 122). In some embodiments, the data source may be one or moreoff-chain enterprises (e.g., the enterprise 122), one or more off-chaindatabases, one or more off-chain data structures, one or more off-chainweb-based APIs, and/or one or more off-chain data storagedevices/systems capable of storing data or otherwise facilitating thestorage of such data. The one or more automated oracles may thenretrieve the requested data (e.g., from the enterprise 122) and mayautomatically transmit the requested data to the blockchain network(e.g., to the enterprise 106). In some embodiments, the one or moreautomated oracles may be communicating with one or more smart contractsof the blockchain network to perform the functions disclosed herein. Thedata source from which the data may be retrieved may be predetermined byone or more smart contracts of the blockchain network. Additionally oralternatively, in some embodiments, the one or more automated oraclesmay receive a data request from an off-chain enterprise (e.g., theenterprise 122). In response to receiving the data request, the one ormore automated oracles may automatically access the requested data fromthe blockchain network (e.g., via the enterprise 106). The one or moreautomated oracles may then automatically transmit the requested data tothe off-chain enterprise (e.g., to the enterprise 122).

It should be appreciated that the one or more automated oracles of theoracle system 134 may include one or more inbound automated oraclesand/or one or more outbound automated oracles. For example, in someembodiments, the one or more outbound automated oracles may receive therequest for data from the blockchain network (e.g., via the enterprise106) and transmit the request for data to the data source of anoff-chain enterprise (e.g., via the enterprise 122). The one or moreinbound automated oracles may receive the requested data from theoff-chain enterprise (e.g., via the enterprise 122) and transmit therequested data to the blockchain network (e.g., via the enterprise 106).

The one or more human oracles may include or be otherwise associatedwith human involvement. In some embodiments, a human oracle may be ableto not only transmit deterministic data but may also respond toarbitrary requests that may not be otherwise by possible by an automatedoracle. For example, human oracles may be able to provide answers tounstructured data requests. Sample dialogue may include: “Does Johnupdate his address with you”? or “Do you have John's Meal Preferences”?or “Is John's previous employment salary X?” In some embodiments, theone or more human oracles may receive the request for data from theblockchain network (e.g., via the enterprise 106) and transmit therequest for data to the data source of an off-chain enterprise (e.g.,via the enterprise 122). The one or more human oracles may receive therequested data from the off-chain enterprise (e.g., via the enterprise122) and transmit the requested data to the blockchain network (e.g.,via the enterprise 106).

The oracle system 134 may include or be associated with one or moresingle sourced oracles and/or one or more multiple sourced oracles. Insome embodiments, a single sourced oracle may be an oracle that queriesa single data source for data. In some embodiments, a multiple sourcedoracle may be an oracle that queries more than one data source for data.For example, if the enterprises 122, 124, 126 deposit data collectivelyin a common data source, then the single sourced oracle may query thecommon data source and retrieve the data. Alternatively, if theenterprises 122, 124, 126 deposit data separately in separate datasources, then the multiple sourced oracle may query the separate datasources and retrieve and aggregate the data together. In someembodiments, retrieval of the data may generate one or more events for asmart contract to begin executing.

In some embodiments, when receiving data from an oracle system (e.g.,the oracle system 134), a smart contract may depend on the truth of therequested data provided by an off-chain enterprise (e.g., via theenterprise 122), which may result in having to trust a third party and,thereby, may potentially jeopardize the benefits of a decentralizedblockchain. A potential problem may occur at the data source and/or theoracle system when the trust of such data source and/or oracle systembecomes compromised, which may decrease the security in the blockchainnetwork. For example, a trustworthy oracle system may be useless if thedata retrieved from a data source is incorrect. Similarly, correct dataretrieved from a trustworthy data source may be useless if an oraclesystem does not correctly transmit the requested data to the blockchainnetwork (e.g., to the enterprise 106).

There are various approaches that may be used to reduce the risk ofuntrustworthiness of an oracle system. In some embodiments, a technicalframework may be used to reduce the risk of an oracle system fromtampering with data. For example, a TLS notary (or a comparable digitalnotary functionality) may be used to sign the data during its retrievalfrom a data source. Additionally, a secure hardware bridge may becreated between a data source and a smart contract by using softwareguard extensions. Further, in some embodiments, multiple oracle systemsmay be used (i.e., instead of one oracle system as shown in theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 ) to aggregate data in order to reducethe susceptibility of misconduct by one oracle system. In someembodiments, decentralized oracles may also be used to reduce the riskof untrustworthiness of an oracle system. By way of example, one or moreof ChainLink, WitNet, Oraclize, Town Crier, and/or other technologiesand implementations may be used in accordance with some of theembodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, a technicalframework may be used to reduce the risk of tampering of data occurringat a centralized data source. For example, in some embodiments, multipledata sources may be used in a manner in which the multiple data sourcescreate a consensus among the data sources and aggregate the data into asingle response to the request for data from an oracle system.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , the contact center system 200 may be embodiedas any system capable of providing contact center services (e.g., callcenter services, chat center services, SMS center services, etc.) to anend user and otherwise performing the functions described herein. Thecontact center system 200 may be illustrative of any of the contactcenter systems 114, 116, 118 shown in FIG. 1 . Such contact centersystems 114, 116, 118 may be collectively referred to herein as thecontact center system 200. Depending on the particular embodiment, itshould be appreciated that the contact center system 200 may be locatedon the premises of the enterprise utilizing the contact center system200 and/or located remotely relative to the enterprise (e.g., in acloud-based computing environment). In some embodiments, a portion ofthe contact center system 200 may be located on the enterprise'spremises/campus while other portions of the contact center system 200may be located remotely relative to the enterprise's premises/campus. Assuch, it should be appreciated that the contact center system 200 may bedeployed in equipment dedicated to the enterprise or third-party serviceprovider thereof and/or deployed in a remote computing environment suchas, for example, a private or public cloud environment withinfrastructure for supporting multiple contact centers (e.g., thecontact center systems 114, 116, 118) for multiple enterprises (e.g.,the enterprises 106, 108, 110). In some embodiments, the contact centersystem 200 includes resources (e.g., personnel, computers, andtelecommunication equipment) to enable delivery of services viatelephone and/or other communication mechanisms. Such services mayinclude, for example, technical support, help desk support, emergencyresponse, and/or other contact center services depending on theparticular type of contact center. The various components of the contactcenter system 200 may also be distributed across various geographiclocations and computing environments and not necessarily contained in asingle location, computing environment, or even computing device.

The illustrative contact center system 200 includes the network 104, aswitch/media gateway 202, a call controller 204, an IMR server 206, arouting server 208, a stat server 210, a data storage 212, agent devices214, 216, 218, a multimedia/social media server 220, web servers 222, aninteraction (iXn) server 224, a universal contact server 226, areporting server 228, and a cloud computing service 230.

An end user (e.g., a customer and/or a potential customer) desiring toreceive services from the contact center system 200 may initiate inboundcommunications (e.g., telephony calls, emails, chats, video chats,social media posts, etc.) to the contact center system 200 via the enduser device 102. The switch/media gateway 202 may be embodied as any oneor more types of devices/systems that are capable of performing thefunctions described herein. The switch/media gateway 202 may be coupledto the network 104 for receiving and transmitting telephony callsbetween the end user device 102 and the contact center system 200. Theswitch/media gateway 202 may include a telephony switch and/orcommunication switch configured to function as a central switch foragent level routing within the contact center system 200. Theswitch/media gateway 202 may be a hardware switching system or a softswitch implemented via software. For example, the switch/media gateway202 may include an automatic call distributor, a private branch exchange(PBX), an IP-based software switch, and/or any other switch withspecialized hardware and software configured to receive Internet-sourcedinteractions and/or telephone network-sourced interactions from the enduser device 102, and route those interactions to, for example, the agentdevices 214, 216, 218. In this example, the switch/media gateway 202 mayestablish a voice path/connection (not shown) between the end userdevice 102 and the agent devices 214, 216, 218, by establishing, forexample, a connection between the end user device 102 and the agentdevices 214, 216, 218.

In an embodiment, the switch/media gateway 202 may be coupled to a callcontroller 204. The call controller 204 may be embodied as any one ormore types of devices/systems that are capable of performing thefunctions described herein. For example, the call controller 204 mayserve as an adapter or interface between the switch/media gateway 202and the remainder of the routing, monitoring, and othercommunication-handling components of the contact center system 200. Thecall controller 204 may be configured to process PSTN calls and/or VoIPcalls. For example, the call controller 204 may be configured withcomputer-telephony integration (CTI) software for interfacing with theswitch/media gateway 202 and contact center system 200 equipment. In oneembodiment, the call controller 204 may include a session initiationprotocol (SIP) server for processing SIP calls.

In some embodiments, the call controller 204 may, for example, extractdata about the end user interaction such as the end user's telephonenumber (often known as the automatic number identification (ANI)number), or the end user's internet protocol (IP) address, or emailaddress, and communicate with other contact center system 200 componentsin processing the interaction.

The IMR server 206 may be embodied as any one or more types ofdevices/systems that are capable of performing the functions describedherein. For example, in some embodiments, the IMR server 206 may also bereferred to herein as a self-help system or virtual assistant. The IMRserver 206 may be similar to an interactive voice response (IVR) server,except that the IMR server 206 is not restricted to voice and mayencompass a variety of media channels, including, for example, voice andtext chat (e.g., implementing a chat bot). Considering voice as anexample, however, the IMR server 206 may be configured with an IMRscript for querying end users on their needs. For example, a contactcenter system 200 for a bank may tell end users, via the IMR script, to“press 1” if they wish to get an account balance. If this is the case,through continued interaction with the IMR server 206, end users maycomplete service without needing to speak with an agent. The IMR server206 may also ask an open-ended question such as, for example, “How can Ihelp you?” and the end user may speak or otherwise enter a reason forcontacting the contact center. The end user's response may then be usedby a routing server 208 to route the call or communication to anappropriate contact center resource.

If the communication is to be routed to an agent, the call controller204 interacts with the routing server 208 (also referred to herein as anorchestration server) to find an appropriate agent for processing theinteraction. The call controller 204 may be embodied as any one or moretypes of devices/systems that are capable of performing the functionsdescribed herein. The selection of an appropriate agent for routing aninbound interaction may be based, for example, on a routing strategyemployed by the routing server 208, and further based on informationabout agent availability, skills, and other routing parameters provided,for example, by a statistics server 210 (also referred to herein as astat server). The stat server 210 may be embodied as any one or moretypes of devices/systems that are capable of performing the functionsdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, the routing server 208 may query the data storage212. The data storage 212 may be embodied as one or more databases, datastructures, and/or data storage devices capable of storing data in thecontact center system 200 or otherwise facilitating the storage of suchdata for the contact center system 200. For example, in someembodiments, the data storage 212 may include one or more cloud storagebuckets. In some embodiments the data storage 212 may store informationrelating to agent data (e.g., agent profiles, and/or schedules), enduser data (e.g. end user profiles, contact information, service levelagreement requirements, nature of previous end user contacts and actionstaken by the contact center system 200 to resolve any end user issues),and/or interaction data (e.g., details of each interaction with an enduser, including reason for the interaction, disposition data, time onhold, and/or handle time). In some embodiments, some of the data (e.g.,end user profile data) may be maintained in an end user relationsmanagement (CRM) database hosted in the data storage 212. The datastorage 212 may also be embodied as any device or component, orcollection of devices or components, capable of short-term or long-termstorage of data. Although the data storage 212 is described herein asdata storages and databases, it should be appreciated that the datastorage 212 may include both a database (or other type of organizedcollection of data and structures) and data storage for the actualstorage of the underlying data. The data storage 212 may store variousdata useful for performing the functions described herein.

After an appropriate agent is identified as being available to handle acommunication, a connection may be made between the end user device 102and agent devices 214, 216, 218 of the identified agent. The agentdevices 214, 216, 218 may be embodied as any one or more types ofdevices/systems that are capable of performing the functions describedherein. Collected information about the end user and/or the end user'shistorical information may also be provided to the agent devices 214,216, 218 for aiding the agent in better servicing the communication. Theagent devices 214, 216, 218 may include a telephone adapted for regulartelephone calls, Von′ calls, etc. The agent devices 214, 216, 218 mayalso include a computer for communicating with one or more servers ofthe contact center system 200 and performing data processing associatedwith contact center operations, and for interfacing with end users viavoice and other multimedia communication mechanisms.

The multimedia/social media server 220 (also referred to herein as amedia server) may be embodied as any one or more types ofdevices/systems that are capable of performing the functions describedherein. For example, in some embodiments, the multimedia/social mediaserver 220 may engage in media interactions other than voiceinteractions with the end user device 102 and/or web servers 222. Themedia interactions may be related, for example, to email, vmail (voicemail through email), chat, video, text-messaging, web, social media,and/or co-browsing. In this regard, the multimedia/social media server220 may take the form of any IP router conventional in the art withspecialized hardware and software for receiving, processing, andforwarding multi-media events.

The web servers 222 may include, for example, social interaction sitehosts for a variety of known social interaction sites to which an enduser may subscribe, such as, for example, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,etc. The web servers 222 may be embodied as any one or more types ofdevices/systems that are capable of performing the functions describedherein. Although in the embodiment of FIG. 2 the web servers 222 aredepicted as being part of the contact center system 200, the web servers222 may also be provided by third parties and/or maintained outside ofthe contact center system 200 premises. The web servers 222 may alsoprovide web pages for the enterprises 106, 108, 110 that are beingsupported by the contact center systems 114, 116, 118. End users maybrowse the web pages and get information about the products and servicesof the enterprises 106, 108, 110. The web pages may also provide amechanism for contacting the contact center system 200, via, forexample, web chat (e.g., with a live agent and/or with a chat bot),voice call, email, and/or WebRTC.

The web servers 222 may also provide public facing applicationprogramming interfaces (APIs) for interacting with the contact centersystems 114, 116, 118 and/or the enterprises 106, 108, 110. For example,the web servers may implement APIs in accordance with theRepresentational State Transfer (REST) architectural style (a “RESTful”web service), where request and response payloads may be transmitted indata formats such as Extensible Markup Language (XML) or JavaScriptObject Notation (JSON). As another example, the web servers mayimplement APIs in accordance with markup languages and/or protocols suchas the Web Services Description Language (WSDL) and Simple Object AccessProtocol (SOAP), or using proprietary protocols.

In addition to real-time interactions, deferrable (also referred to asback-office or offline) interactions/activities may also be routed tothe agent devices 214, 216, 218. Such deferrable activities may include,for example, responding to emails, responding to letters, attendingtraining seminars, or any other activity that does not entail real timecommunication with an end user. In this regard, an interaction (iXn)server 224 interacts with the routing server 208 for selecting anappropriate agent device 214, 216, 218 to handle the activity. The iXnserver 224 may be embodied as any one or more types of devices/systemsthat are capable of performing the functions described herein. Onceassigned to an agent device 214, 216, 218, an activity may be pushed tothe agent, or may appear in the agent's workbin of an agent device 214,216, 218 as a task to be completed by the agent. The agent's workbin maybe implemented via any data structure conventional in the art, such as,for example, a linked list and/or array. The workbin may be maintained,for example, in buffer memory of the agent devices 214, 216, 218.

The universal contact server 226 may be embodied as any one or moretypes of devices/systems that are capable of performing the functionsdescribed herein. The universal contact server 226 may be configured toretrieve information stored in the CRM database and direct informationto be stored in the CRM database. The universal contact server 226 mayalso be configured to facilitate maintaining a history of end users'preferences and interaction history, and to capture and store dataregarding comments from agents and/or end user communication history.

The reporting server 228 may be embodied as any one or more types ofdevices/systems that are capable of performing the functions describedherein. The reporting server 228 may be configured to generate reportsfrom data aggregated by the statistics server 210. Such reports mayinclude near real-time reports or historical reports concerning thestate of resources, such as, for example, average waiting time,abandonment rate, and/or agent occupancy. The reports may be generatedautomatically or in response to specific requests from a requestor(e.g., agent/administrator, contact center application, etc.).

The end user device 102 and the various components of the contact centersystem 200 may communicate with a cloud computing service 230 (e.g.,cloud computing services operated by a third party) over the network104. The cloud computing service 230 may be embodied as any one or moretypes of devices/systems that are capable of performing the functionsdescribed herein. Examples of cloud computing services 230 includeinfrastructure as a service (IaaS) and proprietary platforms providingvarious particular computing services such as data storage, data feeds,and data synchronization.

In the illustrative embodiment, the contact center system 200 may beembodied as a cloud-based system executing in a cloud computingenvironment; however, it should be appreciated that, in otherembodiments, the contact center system 200 or a portion thereof (e.g.,one or more of the network 104, the switch/media gateway 202, the callcontroller 204, the IMR server 206, the routing server 208, the statserver 210, the data storage 212, the agent devices 214, 216, 218, themultimedia/social media server 220, the web servers 222, the interaction(iXn) server 224, the universal contact server 226, the reporting server228, and the cloud computing service 230, and/or one or more portionsthereof) may be embodied as one or more systems executing outside of acloud computing environment.

In cloud-based embodiments, one or more of the network 104, theswitch/media gateway 202, the call controller 204, the IMR server 206,the routing server 208, the stat server 210, the data storage 212, theagent devices 214, 216, 218, the multimedia/social media server 220, theweb servers 222, the interaction (iXn) server 224, the universal contactserver 226, the reporting server 228, and/or the cloud computing service230 (and/or one or more portions thereof) may be embodied as aserver-ambiguous computing solution, for example, that executes aplurality of instructions on-demand, contains logic to executeinstructions only when prompted by a particular activity/trigger, anddoes not consume computing resources (or consumes nominal resources)when not in use. That is, the contact center system 200, the network104, the switch/media gateway 202, the call controller 204, the IMRserver 206, the routing server 208, the stat server 210, the datastorage 212, the agent devices 214, 216, 218, the multimedia/socialmedia server 220, the web servers 222, the interaction (iXn) server 224,the universal contact server 226, the reporting server 228, and/or thecloud computing service 230 (and/or one or more portions thereof) may beembodied as a virtual computing environment residing “on” a computingsystem (e.g., a distributed network of devices) in which various 3^(rd)party virtual functions may be executed corresponding with the functionsof the contact center system 200, the network 104, the switch/mediagateway 202, the call controller 204, the IMR server 206, the routingserver 208, the stat server 210, the data storage 212, the agent devices214, 216, 218, the multimedia/social media server 220, the web servers222, the interaction (iXn) server 224, the universal contact server 226,the reporting server 228, and/or the cloud computing service 230 (and/orone or more portions thereof) described herein. For example, when anevent occurs (e.g., data is transferred to the contact center system 200for handling), the virtual computing environment may be communicatedwith (e.g., via a request to an API of the virtual computingenvironment), whereby the API may route the request to the correctvirtual function (e.g., a particular server-ambiguous computingresource) based on a set of rules. As such, when a request for thetransmission of data is made (e.g., via an appropriate user interface tothe contact center system 200), the appropriate virtual function(s) maybe executed to perform the actions before eliminating the instance ofthe virtual function(s).

It should be appreciated that each of the end user device 102, network104, enterprises 106, 108, 110, enterprise system 112, and contactcenter systems 114, 116, 118 may be embodied as (or include) one or morecomputing devices similar to the computing device 300 described below inreference to FIG. 3 . For example, in the illustrative embodiment, eachof end user device 102, network 104, enterprises 106, 108, 110,enterprise system 112, and contact center systems 114, 116, 118 mayinclude a processing device 302 and a memory 306 having stored thereonoperating logic 308 (e.g., a plurality of instructions) for execution bythe processing device 302 for operation of the corresponding device.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a simplified block diagram of at least oneembodiment of a computing device 300 is shown. The illustrativecomputing device 300 depicts at least one embodiment of an end userdevice, a network, enterprises, an enterprise system and/or a contactcenter system that may be utilized in connection with the end userdevice 102, the network 104, the enterprises 106, 108, 110, theenterprise system 112, and/or the contact center systems 114, 116, 118illustrated in FIG. 1 . Further, in some embodiments, one or more of theswitch/media gateway 202, the call controller 204, the IMR server 206,the routing server 208, the stat server 210, the data storage 212, theagent devices 214, 216, 218, the multimedia/social media server 220, theweb servers 222, the interaction (iXn) server 224, the universal contactserver 226, the reporting server 228, and the cloud computing service230 of FIG. 2 (and/or a portion thereof) may be embodied as or beexecuted by one or more computing devices similar to the computingdevice 300. Depending on the particular embodiment, the computing device300 may be embodied as a server, desktop computer, laptop computer,tablet computer, notebook, netbook, Ultrabook™, cellular phone, mobilecomputing device, smartphone, wearable computing device, personaldigital assistant, Internet of Things (IoT) device, processing system,wireless access point, router, gateway, and/or any other computing,processing, and/or communication device capable of performing thefunctions described herein.

The computing device 300 includes a processing device 302 that executesalgorithms and/or processes data in accordance with operating logic 308,an input/output device 304 that enables communication between thecomputing device 300 and one or more external devices 310, and memory306 which stores, for example, data received from the external device310 via the input/output device 304.

The input/output device 304 allows the computing device 300 tocommunicate with the external device 310. For example, the input/outputdevice 304 may include a transceiver, a network adapter, a network card,an interface, one or more communication ports (e.g., a USB port, serialport, parallel port, an analog port, a digital port, VGA, DVI, HDMI,FireWire, CAT 5, or any other type of communication port or interface),and/or other communication circuitry. Communication circuitry of thecomputing device 300 may be configured to use any one or morecommunication technologies (e.g., wireless or wired communications) andassociated protocols (e.g., Ethernet, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, WiMAX, etc.)to effect such communication depending on the particular computingdevice 300. The input/output device 304 may include hardware, software,and/or firmware suitable for performing the techniques described herein.

The external device 310 may be any type of device that allows data to beinputted or outputted from the computing device 300. For example, invarious embodiments, the external device 310 may be embodied as the enduser device 102, the network 104, the enterprises 106, 108, 110, theenterprise system 112, the contact center systems 114, 116, 118,switch/media gateway 202, the call controller 204, the IMR server 206,the routing server 208, the stat server 210, the data storage 212, theagent devices 214, 216, 218, the multimedia/social media server 220, theweb servers 222, the interaction (iXn) server 224, the universal contactserver 226, the reporting server 228, and/or the cloud computing service230. Further, in some embodiments, the external device 310 may beembodied as another computing device, switch, diagnostic tool,controller, printer, display, alarm, peripheral device (e.g., keyboard,mouse, touch screen display, etc.), and/or any other computing,processing, and/or communication device capable of performing thefunctions described herein. Furthermore, in some embodiments, it shouldbe appreciated that the external device 310 may be integrated into thecomputing device 300.

The processing device 302 may be embodied as any type of processor(s)capable of performing the functions described herein. In particular, theprocessing device 302 may be embodied as one or more single ormulti-core processors, microcontrollers, or other processor orprocessing/controlling circuits. For example, in some embodiments, theprocessing device 302 may include or be embodied as an arithmetic logicunit (ALU), central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor(DSP), and/or another suitable processor(s). The processing device 302may be a programmable type, a dedicated hardwired state machine, or acombination thereof. Processing devices 302 with multiple processingunits may utilize distributed, pipelined, and/or parallel processing invarious embodiments. Further, the processing device 302 may be dedicatedto performance of just the operations described herein, or may beutilized in one or more additional applications. In the illustrativeembodiment, the processing device 302 is programmable and executesalgorithms and/or processes data in accordance with operating logic 308as defined by programming instructions (such as software or firmware)stored in memory 306. Additionally or alternatively, the operating logic308 for processing device 302 may be at least partially defined byhardwired logic or other hardware. Further, the processing device 302may include one or more components of any type suitable to process thesignals received from input/output device 304 or from other componentsor devices and to provide desired output signals. Such components mayinclude digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a combination thereof.

The memory 306 may be of one or more types of non-transitorycomputer-readable media, such as a solid-state memory, electromagneticmemory, optical memory, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, thememory 306 may be volatile and/or nonvolatile and, in some embodiments,some or all of the memory 306 may be of a portable type, such as a disk,tape, memory stick, cartridge, and/or other suitable portable memory. Inoperation, the memory 306 may store various data and software usedduring operation of the computing device 300 such as operating systems,applications, programs, libraries, and drivers. It should be appreciatedthat the memory 306 may store data that is manipulated by the operatinglogic 308 of processing device 302, such as, for example, datarepresentative of signals received from and/or sent to the input/outputdevice 304 in addition to or in lieu of storing programming instructionsdefining operating logic 308. As shown in FIG. 3 , the memory 306 may beincluded with the processing device 302 and/or coupled to the processingdevice 302 depending on the particular embodiment. For example, in someembodiments, the processing device 302, the memory 306, and/or othercomponents of the computing device 300 may form a portion of asystem-on-a-chip (SoC) and be incorporated on a single integratedcircuit chip.

In some embodiments, various components of the computing device 300(e.g., the processing device 302 and the memory 306) may becommunicatively coupled via an input/output subsystem, which may beembodied as circuitry and/or components to facilitate input/outputoperations with the processing device 302, the memory 306, and othercomponents of the computing device 300. For example, the input/outputsubsystem may be embodied as, or otherwise include, memory controllerhubs, input/output control hubs, firmware devices, communication links(i.e., point-to-point links, bus links, wires, cables, light guides,printed circuit board traces, etc.) and/or other components andsubsystems to facilitate the input/output operations.

The computing device 300 may include other or additional components,such as those commonly found in a typical computing device (e.g.,various input/output devices and/or other components), in otherembodiments. It should be further appreciated that one or more of thecomponents of the computing device 300 described herein may bedistributed across multiple computing devices. In other words, thetechniques described herein may be employed by a computing system thatincludes one or more computing devices. Additionally, although only asingle processing device 302, I/O device 304, and memory 306 areillustratively shown in FIG. 3 , it should be appreciated that aparticular computing device 300 may include multiple processing devices302, I/O devices 304, and/or memories 306 in other embodiments. Further,in some embodiments, more than one external device 310 may be incommunication with the computing device 300.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , in use, the system 100 may execute a method400 for conducting a data transaction between enterprises using apermissioned blockchain infrastructure. It should be appreciated thatthe particular blocks of the method 400 are illustrated by way ofexample, and such blocks may be combined or divided, added or removed,and/or reordered in whole or in part depending on the particularembodiment, unless stated to the contrary. Prior to execution of themethod 400, it should be appreciated that an end user may interact withthe end user device 102 via a user interface of the application 120(e.g., the personal bot system and/or a graphical user interface) inorder to communicate a request for data to an enterprise (e.g., thesystem 100, via the enterprise 106, may receive a request for data). Forexample, an end user may communicate an issue with her cable internetservice to an enterprise (e.g., the enterprise 106) via the application120 (e.g., the personal bot system).

The illustrative method 400 may begin with block 402 in which the system100 (e.g., via the enterprise 106 or, more specifically, the contactcenter system 114 of the enterprise 106) may receive the request fordata from the end user device 102 (e.g., via the application 120 or,more particularly, the personal bot system). In some embodiments, therequest for data may be generated by the end user device 102 utilizingthe application 120 (e.g., the personal bot system). In someembodiments, the request for data may be generated by the end userdevice 102 utilizing at least one of an email, a chat, a website search,a survey feedback, a voice, or a social media conversation. In someembodiments, the end user device 102 may be an IoT device. For example,the IoT readings of an end user's air conditioner may generate aninteraction with an enterprise that the end user's air conditionercompressor may have problems and may need service.

In block 404, the enterprise 106 (e.g., via the contact center system114) may analyze the request for data and may determine that theenterprise 106 does not possess the requested data. Referring back tothe cable internet service example, the enterprise 106 may determinethat it does not have a solution to address the issue with the enduser's cable internet service. In block 406, the enterprise 106 (e.g.,via the contact center system 114) may utilize a technological platformto determine whether one or more of the enterprises 106, 108, 110 in theenterprise system 112 possesses the requested data or one or more of theenterprises 122, 124, 126 possesses the requested data. In other words,the technological platform may be leveraged (e.g., by the enterprise106) to determine whether an on-chain enterprise (e.g., one or more ofthe enterprises 108, 110) or an off-chain enterprise (e.g., one or moreof the enterprises 122, 124, 126) possesses the requested or desireddata. If the technical platform determines that an on-chain enterprise(e.g., one or more of the enterprises 108, 110 in the enterprise system112) possesses the requested data, the method 400 may advance to block408 in which the technological platform may communicate to theenterprise 106 information regarding the enterprise possessing therequested data (e.g., the enterprise 108). For example, thetechnological platform may determine that enterprise 108 possesses thesolution to address the issue with the end user's cable internetservice. The enterprise 106 (e.g., via the contact center system 114)may then transmit the request for data to the enterprise 108.

In block 410, the system 100 may permit a data transaction between theenterprise 106 (e.g., via the contact center system 114) and theenterprise 108 (e.g., via the contact center system 116) utilizing apermissioned blockchain infrastructure. For example, the enterprise 108may share with the enterprise 106 the solution to address the issue withthe end user's cable internet service. In some embodiments, the system100 may execute the method 500 of FIG. 5 (or a portion thereof) asdescribed in detail below in association with the method 400 of FIG. 4 .

It should be appreciated that a blockchain may refer to a suite ofdistributed ledger technologies that can be programmed to record andtrack the data transactions of the present disclosure. The blockchain isa combination of three technologies, including cryptography, apeer-to-peer network, and a governance structure. The blockchain maystore data in batches, called blocks, which are linked together in achronological manner to form a continuous “chain” of blocks. If a changeoccurs to the data recorded in a particular block, the change may bestored in a new block showing the change at a particular date and time(e.g., “X changed to Y on 8/23/2020 at 10:45 AM EDT”). The blockchainmay be decentralized and distributed across a network of nodes. Thedecentralizing of data may reduce the ability for data tampering. Eachenterprise within the blockchain network (e.g., within the system 100)may maintain, approve, and update new blocks.

The blockchain governance elements may be categorized into fourelements, including, the consensus algorithm, incentives, information,and governing structure. For example, the blockchain network mayleverage one or more consensus algorithms to execute the datatransaction verification within the blockchain network. Consensus may bea method of reaching agreement among the different nodes on theblockchain network. Different blockchain systems may implement differentconsensus algorithms which can benefit the entities that validate newdata transactions and record the transactions on the blockchain (i.e.,the miners) directly or indirectly. For example, in some embodiments,the blockchain network may utilize a proof of work algorithm, a delayedproof of work algorithm, a proof of stake algorithm, a delegated proofof stake algorithm, a leased proof of stake algorithm, a proof of stakevelocity algorithm, a proof of elapsed time algorithm, a practicalByzantine fault tolerance algorithm, a simplified Byzantine faulttolerance algorithm, a delegated Byzantine fault tolerance algorithm, aproof of activity algorithm, a proof of authority algorithm, a proof ofreputation algorithm, a proof of history algorithm, a proof ofimportance algorithm, a proof of capacity algorithm, a proof of burnalgorithm, a proof of weight algorithm, and/or other suitable consensusalgorithms, techniques, and/or mechanisms.

Incentives may permit the different entities (e.g., miners, etc.) tohelp run the blockchain by providing nodes incentives for their actions.There may be an incentive for every entity that is participating in thefunctionality of the network. Information may also be critical to theblockchain. As the blockchain is decentralized, considerable amounts ofinformation may need to be in the blockchain network.

The blockchain governance structure may ensure that the blockchain canfunction efficiently and seamlessly while in active development bydevelopers. The blockchain governance may rely on four centralcommunities to manage the blockchain governance, including the coredevelopers, the node operators, the token holders, and the blockchainteam. The core developers may be responsible for developing, managing,and maintaining the core code of the blockchain. The core developers maywrite, update, or remove code that has a direct impact on theblockchain's functionality and, thereby, can impact every enterprise inthe blockchain network. The node operators may be responsible forcarrying the blockchain ledger full copy. The node operators may runoperations from their computers and are responsible for deciding whetherfeatures will run on nodes or not. The node operators may also providestorage and computation for the blockchain operations. Code developersmay need to consult the node operators before the code developers decideon any features. The token holders may be the enterprises that are partof the blockchain network by holding blockchain tokens. Token holdersmay take part in the governance through voting rights when changes aremade to the blockchain, including, for example, feature changes and setprices. In certain embodiments, token holders may also be investorshaving a certain token percentage that affects their voting position.The blockchain team may be an enterprise that has different roles tomanage the blockchain, including, for example, funding, negotiation, andcommunication. The blockchain team may act as a mediator to negotiatefor features between the token holders, the core developers, and nodeoperators.

The permissioned blockchain infrastructure and the blockchain network ofthe present disclosure may require access to be part of theinfrastructure and network. A control layer may run on top of theblockchain that governs the actions performed by the allowedenterprises. Compared to a public blockchain infrastructure, thepermissioned blockchain infrastructure may offer better performancebecause of the limited number of nodes included in the infrastructure,which may remove unnecessary computations required to reach consensus inthe infrastructure. Additionally, the permissioned blockchaininfrastructure may include its own pre-determined nodes for validatingthe data transaction. In contrast to a public blockchain, thepermissioned blockchain infrastructure may include a governancestructure that requires less time to update the rules over theblockchain network. For example, the nodes included in the permissionedblockchain infrastructure may work together to accomplish updates overthe blockchain faster than the nodes in a public blockchain that maywork in opposition of each other. The permissioned blockchaininfrastructure of the present disclosure may also restrict the consensusparticipants making a permissioned blockchain network highly configuredand controlled by the enterprises in the network. The permissionedblockchain infrastructure of the present disclosure may enable a datatransaction among enterprises (e.g., the enterprises 106, 108, 110) inthe enterprise system 112.

Referring back to block 406, if the technical platform determines thatan off-chain enterprise (e.g., one or more of the enterprises 122, 124,126) possesses the requested data, the method 400 may advance to block412 in which the technological platform may communicate to the oraclesystem 134 information regarding the enterprise possessing the requesteddata (e.g., the enterprise 122). For example, the technological platformmay determine that the enterprise 122 possesses the solution to addressthe issue with the end user's cable internet service. The enterprise 106(e.g., via the contact center system 114) may then transmit the requestfor data to the oracle system 134. In block 414, the oracle system 134may transmit the request for data to the enterprise 122. In block 416,the enterprise 122 may transmit the requested data to the oracle system134. In block 418, the system 100 may permit a data transaction betweenthe enterprise 106 (e.g., via the contact center system 114) and theoracle system 134 utilizing a permissioned blockchain infrastructure.For example, the oracle 134 may share with the enterprise 106 thesolution to address the issue with the end user's cable internetservice. In some embodiments, the system 100 may execute the method 500of FIG. 5 (or a portion thereof) as described in detail below inassociation with the method 400 of FIG. 4 .

In block 420, the system 100 (e.g., via the enterprise 106) may transmitthe requested data received from the enterprise 108 or the oracle system134 to the end user device 102 (e.g., via the application 120 or, moreparticularly, the personal bot system). For example, the enterprise 106may share with the end user device 102 the solution to address the issuewith the end user's cable internet service.

Although the blocks 402-420 are described in a relatively serial manner,it should be appreciated that various blocks of the method 400 may beperformed in parallel in some embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , in use, the system 100 may execute a method500 for conducting a data transaction between enterprises using apermissioned blockchain infrastructure. It should be appreciated thatthe particular blocks of the method 500 are illustrated by way ofexample, and such blocks may be combined or divided, added or removed,and/or reordered in whole or in part depending on the particularembodiment, unless stated to the contrary. Prior to execution of themethod 500, it should be appreciated that an end user may interact withthe end user device 102 via a user interface of the application 120(e.g., the personal bot system and/or a graphical user interface) inorder to communicate a request for data to an enterprise (e.g., thesystem 100, via the end user device 102, may receive a request fordata).

The system 100 (e.g., via the enterprise 106 or, more specifically insome embodiments, the contact center system 114 of the enterprise 106)may receive the request for data from the end user device 102 (e.g., viathe application 120 or, more particularly, the personal bot system). Theenterprise 106 (e.g., via the contact center system 114) may analyze therequest for data, may determine that the enterprise 106 does not possessthe requested data, may determine that enterprise 108 possesses therequested data among the enterprises included in the enterprise system,and may transmit the request for data to the enterprise 108. It shouldbe that the system 100 may utilize any suitable blockchain technology toperform the method 500 of FIG. 5 and, therefore, one or more of theblocks of the method 500 may be varied based on aspects associated withthe particular blockchain technology.

The illustrative method 500 begins with block 502 in which the system100 (e.g., via the enterprise 108 or, more specifically, the contactcenter system 116) may receive a request for a data transaction from anenterprise (e.g., via the enterprise 106 or, more specifically, thecontact center system 114). A node may initiate a data transaction andmay sign the data transaction with its private key. In some embodiments,a node may be a computing device 300. Nodes may form the infrastructureof the blockchain. For example, the nodes on the blockchain may beconnected to each other and may constantly exchange the latestblockchain data. In some embodiments, the nodes may store, transmit, andpreserve the blockchain data. In some embodiments, the private key maygenerate a unique digital signature ensuring that no entity can alterthe signature.

In block 504, a block representing the data transaction may be createdin the blockchain network. In block 506, the data transaction may bepublished to each node in the blockchain network. In block 508, eachnode in the blockchain network may verify whether the data transactionis valid or not (i.e., validate the data transaction). In someembodiments, the nodes in the blockchain network may use one or moreconsensus algorithms to validate the transaction. For example, the nodesin the blockchain network may use one or more of the suitable consensusalgorithms, techniques, and/or mechanisms described above in referenceto the method 400 of FIG. 4 . In block 510, the blockchain network maydetermine whether consensus has been reached among the nodes in theblockchain network. If the blockchain network determines that consensushas been reached among the nodes in the blockchain network, the method500 may advance to block 512 in which the blockchain network may add theblock to the blockchain. The block may include a timestamp and uniqueidentification to secure the block from alteration. If the blockchainnetwork determines that consensus has not been reached among the nodesin the blockchain network, the method 500 may terminate (e.g., such thatthe data transaction will be unsuccessful). In block 514, the blockchainnetwork may label the data transaction as successful and update eachnode in the blockchain network with the block (e.g., the requested datamay be provided to the enterprise 106 by the enterprise 108). When theblock is added to the blockchain, the block may link itself to theprevious block in the blockchain. When the next new block arrives at theblockchain network, the next new block will cryptographically linkitself to the block added in block 512 of FIG. 5 .

Although the blocks 502-514 are described in a relatively serial manner,it should be appreciated that various blocks of the method 500 may beperformed in parallel in some embodiments. After execution of the method500, it should be appreciated that the system 100 (e.g., via theenterprise 106) may transmit the requested data received from theenterprise 108 to end user device 102 (e.g., via the application 120 or,more particularly, the personal bot system).

Referring now to FIG. 6 , a blockchain architecture includes a partialblockchain 600 including a genesis block 602, a block k 604, and a blockk+1 606. It should be appreciated that the blocks 602, 604, 606illustrated in the blockchain 600 may include only a portion of the fullblockchain 600, such that one or more additional blocks may be includedbetween the genesis block 602 and the block k 604 (e.g., represented bythe ellipsis). If the blockchain 600 includes only the three blocks 602,604, 606, then the genesis block 602 may also be described as the blockk−1. As described herein, blockchains (e.g., the blockchain 600) includetransactions that are recorded/saved to the respective blocks andordered in chronological order. As such, the blocks of the blockchain600 may be timestamped.

Each of the blocks in the illustrative blockchain 600 includes atransaction and a hash of the previous block's header (e.g., previousblock to be added to the blockchain 600 chronologically). For example,the genesis block 602 includes the transaction 608, the block k 604includes a hash 610 of the previous block header (i.e., the header ofblock k−1, not shown) and a transaction 612, and the block k+1 606includes a hash 614 of the previous block header (i.e., the header ofthe block k 604) and a transaction 616. Because the genesis block 602 isthe first block on the blockchain 600 and therefore not “linked” to aprevious block on the blockchain 600, the genesis block 602 does notinclude a hash of a previous block header. Instead, in some embodiments,the location on the block reserved for the hash of the previous blockheader may be set to zero (or another predefined value) on the genesisblock 602.

It should be appreciated that the transactions of the blockchain 600(e.g., the transactions 608, 612, 616, etc.) may record variousinteractions and/or events occurring within the system 100. For example,such interactions/events may include interactions between an end user(or other person) and an enterprise 106, 108, 110, interactions betweenthe various enterprises 106, 108, 110 within the system, eventsoccurring within a particular enterprise 106, 108, 110, and/or otherrelevant interactions/events within the system 100. By way of example,one or more of the transactions may include data indicating that an enduser (e.g., customer) reported a loss of network connection with aninternet service provider, an end user booked an international trip toanother country, an end user provided feedback regarding satisfactionwith a particular enterprise agent, an end user shared specificpreferences with an enterprise 106, 108, 110 (e.g., an airline), anenterprise 106, 108, 110 shared data (e.g., user data) with anotherenterprise 106, 108, 110, an enterprise 106, 108, 110 saved newinterests about an end user or other person, and/or other relevantinformation.

It should be appreciated that the data transfer and/or interactions maybe initiated by an end user's interaction with personal bots, variousenterprise touch points (e.g., email chat, website searches, surveyfeedback, phone, messengers, applications, social media conversations,etc.), end user IoT device data/activity (e.g., an IoT device indicatingthat mechanical equipment may need service), and/or otherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 7 , a blockchain architecture includes a partialblockchain 700 including a genesis block 702, a block k 704, and a blockk+1 706. It should be appreciated that the blocks 702, 704, 706illustrated in the blockchain 700 may include only a portion of the fullblockchain 700, such that one or more additional blocks may be includedbetween the genesis block 702 and the block k 704 (e.g., represented bythe ellipsis). If the blockchain 700 includes only the three blocks 702,704, 706, then the genesis block 702 may also be described as the blockk−1.

Each of the blocks in the illustrative blockchain 700 includes atransaction root and a hash of the previous block's header (e.g.,previous block to be added to the blockchain 700 chronologically). Forexample, the genesis block 702 includes the transaction root 708, theblock k 704 includes a hash 710 of the previous block header (i.e., theheader of block k−1, not shown) and a transaction root 712, and theblock k+1 706 includes a hash 714 of the previous block header (i.e.,the header of the block k 704) and a transaction root 716. Because thegenesis block 702 is the first block on the blockchain 700 and thereforenot “linked” to a previous block on the blockchain 700, the genesisblock 702 does not include a hash of a previous block header. Instead,in some embodiments, the location on the block reserved for the hash ofthe previous block header may be set to zero (or another predefinedvalue) on the genesis block 702.

It should be appreciated that multiple transactions may be stored to aparticular block of a blockchain (e.g., the blockchain 700) in someembodiments. For example, as depicted in FIG. 7 , the blockchain 700includes transactions 718 (T_(X) ₁ , T_(X) ₂ , . . . , T_(X) _(n) )included in or otherwise linked to the transaction root 708 of thegenesis block 702, transactions 720 (T_(X) ₁ , T_(X) ₂ , . . . , T_(X)_(n) ) included in or otherwise linked to the transaction root 712 ofthe block 704 (with timestamp k), and transactions 722 (T_(X) ₁ , T_(X)₂ , . . . , T_(X) _(n) ) included in or otherwise linked to thetransaction root 716 of block (with timestamp k+1). In particular, insome embodiments, a blockchain (e.g., the blockchain 700) may grouptransactions based on the interval/timestamp as Merkle trees within ablock. For example, the transactions 720 may include all transactions(or all of a particular type of transaction) between timestamps i−1 andi, and the transactions 722 may include all transactions (or all of aparticular type of transaction) between timestamps i and i+1. Further,in some embodiments, the transactions may be grouped based on thecustomer/user identity. For example, a particular block may record alltransactions related to a particular customer/user occurring between twotimestamps. Such implementations may serve to save space and stillpreserve the authenticity of transactions in each block.

In some embodiments, the blockchains described herein may include smartcontracts, which the system 100 may leverage to self-execute and performvarious functions (e.g., automated transact across enterprise devices inthe system 100). It should be appreciated that a smart contract may beembodied as computer-executable code stored in a blockchain andconfigured to self-execute by the nodes of the blockchain system basedon various conditions/terms defined by the respective smart contract.Accordingly, smart contracts may be stored to a blockchain and executedby the blockchain nodes automatically and without discretion of thenodes, and the smart contract is therefore distributed and immutable.The particular conditions/terms associated with execution of variousfunctions can be anything depending on the particular smart contract andcontext of the relationships involved. The smart contracts may beexecuting on each of the nodes in the blockchain network continuously tomonitor for the satisfaction of the various conditions describedtherein, and may involve primitive and/or sophisticated tasks dependingon the particular embodiment. In some embodiments, a data sharingscenario may involve a data requestor (e.g., the enterprise that needssome specific customer/user data), a data provider (e.g., the enterprisethat “owns” the required data), and a transaction facilitator (e.g., anentity/person that writes smart contracts over a permissioned blockchainor non-permissioned blockchain). It should be appreciated that thesystem 100 may use the blockchain architectures of FIGS. 6-7 inconjunction with one or more of the techniques described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 8 , a smart contract architecture 800 includes anevent listener 802, an action generator 804, and penalties 806. Asdescribed above, smart contracts may be added to blockchains in order toautomatically monitor various conditions and perform various functions.In some embodiments, a smart contract may be described as self-executingcomputer-executable code that includes conditions that are monitored andactions performed based on the evaluation of those conditions. Inparticular, the event listener 802 may listen to the underlyingblockchain for one or more particular events to occur and, if so, theaction generator 804 causes one or more corresponding actions to execute(e.g., with respect to the blockchain and/or otherwise). In someembodiments, the event listener 802 may determine that one or morepenalties 806 should be imposed/enforced in which case penalty code maybe automatically executed to enforce the penalties. Although the smartcontract architecture 800 includes penalties 806, in some embodiments, aparticular smart contract may not include any penalties.

Referring now to FIG. 9 , in use, the system 100 may execute a method900 for conducting a data transaction between enterprises using a smartcontract. It should be appreciated that the particular blocks of themethod 900 are illustrated by way of example, and such blocks may becombined or divided, added or removed, and/or reordered in whole or inpart depending on the particular embodiment, unless stated to thecontrary.

The method 900 begins with block 902 in which the system 100 or, morespecifically, a particular node of the blockchain network executes oneor more smart contracts stored on a blockchain. For example, in someembodiments, each of the nodes of the blockchain network mayautomatically and indiscriminately execute each of the smart contractsto ensure that the terms of the smart contracts are self-executing,distributed, and immutable. As described above, the smart contracts mayinclude one or more events that result in the performance of variousactions. Accordingly, if the node determines in block 904 that such anevent has occurred, the method 900 advances to block 906 in which thesmart contract (or more precisely the node executing the smart contract)executed an action associated with the event occurrence.

As described above, in some embodiments, the smart contracts mayidentify various penalties associated with the occurrence of aparticular event (e.g., breach of the smart contract). Accordingly, ifthe smart contract (or more precisely the node executing the smartcontract) determines in block 908 that breach of the smart contract hasoccurred (e.g., satisfaction of a condition resulting in penalties), themethod 900 advances to block 910 in which one or more penalties areimposed. In block 912, the node (and other nodes also executing thesmart contracts) updates the blockchain. In some embodiments, in block914, one or more conditions may result in the smart contract beingremoved or disabled from the blockchain (e.g., via self-destruction).

Although the blocks 902-914 are described in a relatively serial manner,it should be appreciated that various blocks of the method 900 may beperformed in parallel in some embodiments. For example, in someembodiments, the smart contract monitors for multiple conditions inparallel, including the occurrence of conditions that would constitutebreach of the smart contract and/or otherwise impose penalties.

By way of example, suppose a customer, John, updates his address in hislast interaction with First Bank. The interaction's insight may reachthe blockchain. As such, the event listener of a smart contract maydetect the event and from the code, identify the appropriate action tobe triggered. For example, the action may be a subsequent interactionwith Second Bank where John also holds an account in order to alsoupdate his address there. The execution of the smart contract may causean interaction to be triggered between First Bank and Second Bank toshare John's updated address and, once authenticated and approved,Second Bank may gain access to data owned by First Bank (e.g., includingor limited to John's updated address) and change the address in itssystems as well. As a follow-up, the smart contract may include code tonotify John of the successful transaction, and the update may bepublished to the blockchain.

As another example, John may trigger an interaction with Airline to booka flight for a business trip. As before, the interaction's insight mayreach the blockchain, and the event listener may detect the event andtrigger and automatic interaction with Airline indicating that John'smeal preferences may be obtained from Credit Card Company. Upon approvalby Airline, an interaction with Credit Card Company may be automaticallytriggered to request John's international travel meal preferences. Ifagreed and validated, Airline may immediately gain access to the mealpreferences in Credit Card Company's data regarding John, and it mayupdate its own data. The transaction may be added to the blockchain and,in some embodiments, John may be notified of the successful transaction.

Referring now to FIG. 10 , a blockchain architecture includes a partialblockchain 1000 that implements one or more smart contracts includes agenesis block 1002, a block k 1004, and a block k+1 1004. It should beappreciated that the blocks 1002, 1004, 1006 illustrated in theblockchain 1000 may include only a portion of the full blockchain 1000,such that one or more additional blocks may be included between thegenesis block 1002 and the block k 1004 (e.g., represented by theellipsis). If the blockchain 1000 includes only the three blocks 1002,1004, 1006, then the genesis block 1002 may also be described as theblock k−1.

Each of the blocks in the illustrative blockchain 1000 includes a smartcontract roothash and a transaction roothash. For example, the genesisblock 1002 includes the smart contract roothash 1008 and the transactionroothash 1010, the block k 1004 includes the smart contract roothash1012 and the transaction roothash 1014, and the block k+1 1006 includesthe smart contract roothash 1016 and the transaction roothash 1018. Aswith the blockchain 700 of FIG. 7 , it should be appreciated thatmultiple transactions may be stored to a particular block of theblockchain 1000 of FIG. 10 . For example, as depicted in FIG. 10 , theblockchain 1000 includes transactions 1020 (T_(X) ₁ , T_(X) ₂ , . . . ,T_(X) _(n) ) included in or otherwise linked to the transaction root1010 of the genesis block 1002, transactions 1022 (T_(X) ₁ , T_(X) ₂ , .. . , T_(X) _(n) ) included in or otherwise linked to the transactionroot 1014 of the block 1004 (e.g., with timestamp k), and transactions1024 (T_(X) ₁ , T_(X) ₂ , . . . , T_(X) _(n) ) included in or otherwiselinked to the transaction root 1018 of block (e.g., with timestamp k+1).Further, in some embodiments, one or more smart contracts may be storedto the blocks of the blockchain 1000 and configured to automaticallyself-execute code and monitor for various conditions (e.g., with respectto interactions with the blockchain 1000) as described above. Forexample, as depicted in FIG. 10 , the blockchain 1000 includes smartcontracts 1026 included in or otherwise linked to the smart contractroothash 1008, smart contracts 1028 included in or otherwise linked tothe smart contract roothash 1012, and smart contracts 1030 included inor otherwise linked to the smart contract roothash 1016. Althoughomitted for illustration of other properties of the blockchain 1000, itshould be further appreciated that each of the blocks of the blockchain1000 may also include a hash of the previous block's header (e.g.,previous block to be added to the blockchain 1000 chronologically). Itshould be appreciated that the system 100 may use the blockchainarchitecture of FIG. 10 in conjunction with one or more of thetechniques described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 11 , an architecture 1100 for automaticallycompleting data transactions using a permissioned blockchaininfrastructure includes an end user device 102, smart contracts 1102, amining server 1104, a blockchain 1106, an enterprise 106, and anenterprise 108. The end user device 102, the enterprise 106, and theenterprise 108 of FIG. 11 are described above in reference to FIG. 1and, therefore, the descriptions of those components are not repeatedherein for brevity of the description. The smart contracts 1102 of FIG.11 may be embodied as one of and/or otherwise consistent with thedescription of the smart contracts described in reference to FIGS. 8-10or a portion thereof. The blockchain 1106 may be embodied as ablockchain having properties consistent with the description of theblockchain described in reference to FIGS. 4-7 and/or otherwisedescribed herein. The mining server 1104 may be embodied as any one ormore types of devices/systems capable of mining data and otherwiseperforming the functions described herein. In some embodiments, themining server 1104 may be embodied as or include a server that leveragesone or more machine learning algorithms to ascertain patterns and/orrelevant information related to the underlying data, which may be usedto facilitate prediction of events. The smart contracts 1102 mayfunction based on an activity/trigger in the mining server 1104 that mayrun “on top of” the blockchain 1106. The smart contracts 1102 mayexecute an action associated with each such activity/trigger, thereby,storing the execution results in the blockchain 1106.

Referring now to FIG. 12 , in use, the system 100 may execute a method1200 for automatically completing data transactions using a permissionedblockchain infrastructure. It should be appreciated that the particularblocks of the method 1200 are illustrated by way of example, and suchblocks may be combined or divided, added or removed, and/or reordered inwhole or in part depending on the particular embodiment, unless statedto the contrary. Prior to execution of the method 1200, it should beappreciated that an end user may interact with the end user device 102via a user interface of the application 120 (e.g., the personal botsystem and/or a graphical user interface) in order to communicate arequest for data to an enterprise (e.g., the system 100, via theenterprise 106, may receive a request for data). For example, an enduser may communicate an intent to book a flight to an airline enterprise(e.g., the enterprise 106) via the application 120 (e.g., the personalbot system).

The illustrative method 1200 may begin with block 1202 in which thesystem 100 (e.g., via the enterprise 106 or, more specifically, thecontact center system 114 of the enterprise 106) may receive the requestfor data from the end user device 102 (e.g., via the application 120 or,more particularly, the personal bot system). In some embodiments, therequest for data may be generated by the end user device 102 utilizingthe application 120 (e.g., the personal bot system). In someembodiments, the request for data may be generated by the end userdevice 102 utilizing at least one of an email, a chat, a website search,a survey feedback, a voice, or a social media conversation. In someembodiments, the end user device 102 may be an IoT device. For example,the IoT readings of an end user's air conditioner may generate aninteraction with an enterprise that the end user's air conditionercompressor may have problems and may need service. The system 100 (e.g.,via the enterprise 106) may transmit the requested data to the end userdevice 102 (e.g., via the application 120 or, more particularly, thepersonal bot system), thereby, completing a first data transaction. Forexample, the enterprise 106 may complete the booking of a flight withthe end user device 102. The system 100 may store the first datatransaction on the blockchain of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, in doing so, the system 100 may execute the method 500 ofFIG. 5 (or a portion thereof) as described in detail below inassociation with the method 1200 of FIG. 12 .

In block 1204, they system 100 may determine whether an event associatedwith the first data transaction occurred at another enterprise (e.g.,the enterprise 108) by using a mining server to automatically retrievethe first data transaction in response to identifying the event. If thesystem 100 determines that an event associated with the first datatransaction occurred, the method 1200 may advance to block 1206 in whichthe system 100 may automatically retrieve the first data transaction.However, if the system 100 determines that an event associated with thefirst data transaction did not occur, the method 1200 may return toblock 1202 (or wait until a relevant event has occurred). In block 1208,the system 100 (e.g., the enterprise 108) may automatically complete asecond data transaction. For example, an internet commerce retailenterprise (e.g., the enterprise 108) may automatically notify adelivery service that the end user is not home based on the end user'sflight booking as retrieved by the mining server in order toautomatically reschedule delivery of a retail product). In someembodiments, the system 100 may communicate with the end user device 102(e.g., via the application 120 or, more particularly, the personal botsystem) to assist with completing the second data transaction. Forexample, the system 100 may determine the GPS location of the end userdevice 102 by accessing the application 120 (e.g., the personal botsystem) of the end user device 102. In some embodiments, the system 100(e.g., the enterprise 106) may communicate with the oracle system 134 toautomatically request data from an off-chain enterprise (e.g., theenterprise 122) to complete the second data transaction. For example,the system 100 may locate a taxi cab's position by accessing theinternal RFID tag of the taxi cab or the system 100 may review theweather in a particular location to determine the waiting time for anend user that booked a cab via a mobile application).

Although the blocks 1202-1208 are described in a relatively serialmanner, it should be appreciated that various blocks of the method 1200may be performed in parallel in some embodiments. After execution of themethod 1200, it should be appreciated that the system 100 may store thesecond data transaction on the blockchain of the present disclosure. Insome embodiments, in doing so, the system 100 may execute the method 500of FIG. 5 (or a portion thereof) as described in detail below inassociation with the method 1200 of FIG. 12 .

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for conducting a data transactionbetween an on-chain enterprise internal to a blockchain network and anoff-chain enterprise external to the blockchain network using apermissioned blockchain infrastructure and an oracle system, the methodcomprising: receiving, at a first enterprise internal to the blockchainnetwork, a request for data from an end user; determining whether theon-chain enterprise or the off-chain enterprise possesses the requesteddata; transmitting, by the first enterprise, the request for data to theoracle system in response to determining that the off-chain enterprisepossesses the requested data, wherein the oracle system comprises aninbound automated oracle and an outbound automated oracle; transmitting,by the oracle system, the request for data to the off-chain enterprisevia the outbound automated oracle; providing, by the off-chainenterprise, the requested data to the oracle system to permit the datatransaction between the first enterprise and the oracle system using thepermissioned blockchain infrastructure; providing the requested data tothe first enterprise by (i) generating a block representing the datatransaction in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure, (ii)publishing the block to one or more nodes in the permissioned blockchaininfrastructure, (iii) validating the data transaction at the one or morenodes in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure, (iv) adding theblock to a blockchain based on a consensus reached among the one or morenodes in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure, (v) updating theone or more nodes in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure with theblock, and (vi) labeling the data transaction as successful; andtransmitting the requested data to the end user after the providing therequested data to the first enterprise.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein providing the requested data to the first enterprise comprisesusing the oracle system as a bridge between the first enterprise and theoff-chain enterprise.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the oraclesystem comprises at least one of a single sourced oracle and a multiplesourced oracle.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a technicalframework to reduce the risk of the oracle system tampering with therequested data, wherein the technical framework comprises at least oneof a digital notary or a secure hardware bridge.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the block includes self-executing computer-executable codeconfigured to monitor one or more conditions associated with theblockchain.
 6. One or more non-transitory machine-readable storage mediacomprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, in responseto execution by at least one processor, causes the at least oneprocessor to execute a method for conducting a data transaction betweenan on-chain enterprise internal to a blockchain network and an off-chainenterprise external to the blockchain network using a permissionedblockchain infrastructure and an oracle system, the method comprising:receiving, at a first enterprise internal to the blockchain network, arequest for data from an end user; determining whether the on-chainenterprise or the off-chain enterprise possesses the requested data;transmitting, by the first enterprise, the request for data to theoracle system in response to determining that the off-chain enterprisepossesses the requested data, wherein the oracle system comprises aninbound automated oracle and an outbound automated oracle; transmitting,by the oracle system, the request for data to the off-chain enterprisevia the outbound automated oracle; providing, by the off-chainenterprise, the requested data to the oracle system to permit the datatransaction between the first enterprise and the oracle system using thepermissioned blockchain infrastructure; providing the requested data tothe first enterprise by (i) generating a block representing the datatransaction in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure, (ii)publishing the block to one or more nodes in the permissioned blockchaininfrastructure, (iii) validating the data transaction at the one or morenodes in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure, (iv) adding theblock to a blockchain based on a consensus reached among the one or morenodes in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure, (v) updating theone or more nodes in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure with theblock, and (vi) labeling the data transaction as successful; andtransmitting the requested data to the end user after the providing therequested data to the first enterprise.
 7. A method for automaticallycompleting blockchain data transactions using a permissioned blockchaininfrastructure, the method comprising: receiving at a first enterprise arequest for first data from an end user; providing, by the firstenterprise, the requested first data to the end user thereby completinga first blockchain data transaction; storing the first blockchain datatransaction on a blockchain by (i) generating a block representing thefirst blockchain data transaction in the permissioned blockchaininfrastructure, (ii) publishing the block to one or more nodes in thepermissioned blockchain infrastructure, (iii) validating the firstblockchain data transaction at the one or more nodes in the permissionedblockchain infrastructure, (iv) adding the block to the blockchain basedon a consensus reached among the one or more nodes in the permissionedblockchain infrastructure, (v) updating the one or more nodes inpermissioned the blockchain infrastructure with the block, and (vi)labeling the first blockchain data transaction as successful;determining that an event associated with the first blockchain datatransaction occurred at a second enterprise by using a mining server toretrieve the first blockchain data transaction in response toidentifying the event, wherein the second enterprise communicates withan oracle system to complete a second blockchain data transaction,wherein the oracle system comprises an inbound automated oracle and anoutbound automated oracle; and completing, by the second enterprise, athe second blockchain data transaction based on the first blockchaindata transaction.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising storingthe second blockchain data transaction on the blockchain by (i)generating a second block representing the second blockchain datatransaction in the blockchain infrastructure, (ii) publishing the secondblock to the one or more nodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (iii)validating the second blockchain data transaction at the one or morenodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (iv) adding the second block tothe blockchain based on a second consensus reached among the one or morenodes in the blockchain infrastructure, (v) updating the one or morenodes in the blockchain infrastructure with the second block, and (vi)labeling the second blockchain data transaction as successful.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the second enterprise communicates with apersonal bot system to complete the second blockchain data transaction.10. The method of claim 7, wherein the block includes self-executingcomputer-executable code configured to monitor one or more conditionsassociated with the blockchain.
 11. A system for conducting a datatransaction between an on-chain enterprise internal to a blockchainnetwork and an off-chain enterprise external to the blockchain networkusing a permissioned blockchain infrastructure and an oracle system, thesystem comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memorycomprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, in responseto execution by the at least one processor, causes the system to:receive, at a first enterprise internal to the blockchain network, arequest for data from an end user; determine whether the on-chainenterprise or the off-chain enterprise possesses the requested data;transmit, by the first enterprise, the request for data to the oraclesystem in response to a determination that the off-chain enterprisepossesses the requested data, wherein the oracle system comprises aninbound automated oracle and an outbound automated oracle; transmit, bythe oracle system, the request for data to the off-chain enterprise viathe outbound automated oracle; provide, by the off-chain enterprise, therequested data to the oracle system to permit the data transactionbetween the first enterprise and the oracle system using thepermissioned blockchain infrastructure; provide the requested data tothe first enterprise by (i) generating a block representing the datatransaction in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure, (ii)publishing the block to one or more nodes in the permissioned blockchaininfrastructure, (iii) validating the data transaction at the one or morenodes in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure, (iv) adding theblock to a blockchain based on a consensus reached among the one or morenodes in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure, (v) updating theone or more nodes in the permissioned blockchain infrastructure with theblock, and (vi) labeling the data transaction as successful; andtransmit the requested data to the end user after the requested data isprovided to the first enterprise.
 12. The system of claim 11, whereinproviding the requested data to the first enterprise comprises using theoracle system as a bridge between the first enterprise and the off-chainenterprise.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the oracle systemcomprises at least one of a single sourced oracle and a multiple sourcedoracle.
 14. The system of claim 11, further comprising a technicalframework to reduce the risk of the oracle system tampering with therequested data.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the technicalframework comprises at least one of a digital notary, a secure hardwarebridge, and an additional oracle system.
 16. The system of claim 11,wherein the block includes self-executing computer-executable codeconfigured to monitor one or more conditions associated with theblockchain.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein to transmit the requestfor data to the oracle system comprises to transmit the request for datato the outbound automated oracle; wherein to provide the requested datato the oracle system comprises to provide the requested data to theinbound automated oracle; and wherein to provide the requested data tothe first enterprise comprises to provide the requested data to thefirst enterprise via the inbound automated oracle.